Portable Wood Gasifier Camping Stove

Finally, a new post!  I'm sorry about the hiatus.  Not to worry, though, I'm back with a few projects I did during my absence.  

This project is called a "wood gasifier camping stove".  It's a portable, homemade stove, of the gasifier type.  This means, that the thing you're heating is heated by hot gas that's created by the burning of a fuel source, in this case it's wood.  

You'll need two food cans, one larger than the other.  I used an empty ravioli can and a large can that held either peaches or pie filling.  You need to keep the lid to the larger can and remove it with a safety can opener if you have one.  If not, use a regular can opener sideways.  The top rim needs to stay in tact.  

As far as tools, I did mine without anything electric, but if you have a drill, it'll make things a whole lot easier.  I used a piercing type can opener (sometimes called a church key), an awl (kinda like an icepick), tin snips, pliers, and a grinding stone. 

Framed Sunglasses Rack

 I made a display for my sunglasses that hangs on the wall.  It's artistic and functional, keeps them all in one spot, keeps them from getting knocked around and scratched up, and looks pretty nifty, too.  I used the same idea as the framed note board a few posts ago, but added one key feature: an elastic band.  I got this idea from a few blogs around the internet and kinda combined a couple different styles.  Some used wire instead of elastic, some used an antique frame, most didn't keep the glass, some didn't even use any backing on the frame at all.  I decided to keep the glass as I think it lend to a more "finished" or professional looking piece.  If you have trouble with it (you'll find out why soon enough), feel free to scrap it and use it for some other project.

This project is a simple modification to the aforementioned marker board.  Follow the directions to that project until you're about to put the wrapped back board back into the frame.  Instead, cut the length of elastic that you think is appropriate.  Your length depends on the size of your glass and frame, the thickness of your elastic, and desired tautness.  It shouldn't be so taut that it's strained or the inner threads are very visible, but not so loose that it hangs or will arc under the weight of your sunglasses.  I actually could've probably stretched it a smidgen more.  

Center it between the glass and the frame so that when the glasses are on the elastic, they'll sit just in the middle, about one third of the way down in my case.  When you have the desired location and tautness, tape the ends to the edge of the frame so you can press all the layers in on top of it and adjust them as necessary without having to redo your elastic.

Gently press the glass down around the edges, to make sure there aren't big gaps, and place the backing into the frame.  Press around the edges gently as well, to get a tight as fit as possible.  This will be tricky.  With these additional materials being wrapped around the backing, it probably won't fit, but don't force it too hard.  Just do your best.  Remove the tape from the elastic and re-tape it to the backing, keeping the tautness in tact.  Tape the back board into place when your satisfied with everything (just like with the note board).  

Turn the whole thing over and admire your handiwork!  Now you can mount it to your wall location of choice.  I used a couple of poster mounting strips, like the kind on the back of removable wall hooks.  They're right next to each other at the store, made by the same people.  

Load up your sunglasses collection and you have a functional, conversation starting art piece!

Water Bottle Greenhouses

Indoor gardening idea:

Instead of using seed starters and transferring the baby plant to your planter or garden, plant the seeds directly in your planter.  Cut clear water or juice bottles a few inches from the bottom and place it over where you planted your seeds.  Gently press into the dirt.  Voila!  Individual greenhouses until plants are big and strong enough to live without them.

Framed Fabric Note Board (Marker Board)

http://pinterest.com/pin/39476934204131150/

The picture on the right isn't mine, it's basically the inspiration for this project.  My results are at the bottom of the post.  I wanted to do this a while back, then recently saw this on Pinterest and was re-motivated to do it.  When I originally decided to do this project, I had intended to find an antique frame, but driving around town to various thrift stores wasn't something I felt like doing at the time.  Instead, I picked up a cheap $5 frame from Walmart.  

The blog that pin links to uses patterned decorative paper, which is going to be easier than my method.  I decided to use fabric.  My reasons being that I don't have patterned decorative paper laying around because it's expensive and I don't scrapbook.  Plus, my frame is bigger than standard sheets of paper and I like the look of fabric better.  I do happen to have a bunch of thin cotton fabric quarters.  Whenever I go to Joanne's, even Walmart, I pickup a couple quarters, sometimes called, "Fat Quarters".  They're only $0.99 at Walmart, less than 2 bucks at Joanne's.  Keep in mind when choosing fabric that the design isn't so busy that you won't be able to easily read your notes.

If you do the easy method, simply find paper you like that's big enough for your frame and put it in.  If not, you'll need a frame large enough for your purposes, thin fabric, scissors, fray check, dry erase markers, and pencil and masking tape (not pictured).  The beauty of using masking tape instead of glue, or duct tape, is that if you want to change your fabric out, it's easy and damage free.  

Homemade Pop Tarts #2 / Homemade Hot Pockets

So, a while back I posted an entry about making pop-tart like pastries at home.  I liked how they turned out for the most part, except I grabbed the wrong measuring spoon for the salt content in the crust... not so good.  Not too long ago, I tried again, without so much making everything from scratch.  At the same time, I decided to use the same method to make homemade pizza pockets.  It was a bit experimental, so I only made two of each, in two different sizes.  

It's super simple.  Instead of making pastry crust, you open a can of ready-made crescent rolls, or croissants.  Press two of the triangles together to get a rectangle and roll them out with a rolling pin to make them a bit bigger.  Paint an egg wash all over the top of the pastry

For fruit filling, simply spread jam around the middle, leaving an edge.  I think I did a layer of peach jelly and a layer of applesauce, 'cause I'm wild like that.

For pizza filling, spread with pasta sauce, leaving an edge.  On half, top with cheese and your favorite toppings.  I did olives, bacon, turkey, and artichoke hearts.

Wet your finger and moisten the clean edges, fold pastry over to cover, and press all edges to seal.  (A fork dipped in flour works well).  Brush the tops with egg wash.  I also sprinkled cheese on the pizza pastries. Use a sharp knife or fork to poke holes in the top for ventilation.

 

Stick them in the oven (on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper) according to the temp on the croissant package, for the time stated, or until golden brown.  This. picture is really light, they're a touch darker than it looks.  

These are best served warm, but can be stored in a zip-lock baggie or Tupperware in the fridge for a few days.  

I enjoyed these.  The taste and textures were both delicious.  They aren't as hold-in-your-hand friendly as the store bought versions, but tastier and not chocked full of preservatives.  Enjoy!

Vinyl Record Bowl

For quite a while, I've had some old records that I had intended to make into bowls.  Well, I finally did the project, but couldn't find the original tutorial that I had seen way back when.  When I went to do this the other day, I found two different tutorials online, using two different methods.  I mostly used the baking method but with some of the shaping aspects of the boiling water method.  Which is, to shape my first bowl (first two pictures) I pressed the record between two mixing bowls.  I also used a sauce pan to shape my second bowl (third picture), so it would turn out more like a tray style bowl. 

 

I like how they turned out.  I'm actually using the first bowl to hold fruit in my kitchen, and the second on a side table to hold snacks.  The links to find out how to do it are at the bottom.

 

Links:

Baking:  http://diyfashion.about.com/od/diyaccessories/ss/Record_bowl.htm

Boiling:  www.skullsandponies.com/2012/03/how-to-make-bowl-from-vinyl-record.html

Simple Bag Clips: Part 2

After putting up the post about using store hangers for bag clips, I decided to figure out something to do to them so that they didn't look expressly like the ends of hangers, or at least jazz them up a bit.  So, I added something completely unnecessary: Glitter! 

The one thing that I didn't do, that I'd tell you to, is to sand the plastic with medium to fine grit sandpaper.  The plastic is smooth and I'm not sure how long the glue will stick without roughing it up for grip. 

The directions are simple.  Sand the plastic enough to lightly rough up the surface.  Paint it with glue (outer, plastic area).  Martha Stewart has a glue specifically for glitter, but craft glue, regular white glue, or Modpodge would all work. 

Holding it over a piece of paper or paper towel, sprinkle fine glitter over the surface to cover it.  Let it dry.  Lightly shake off excess over paper and paint another layer of glue over any bald spots.  Let dry and gently shake off excess.  Tape the metal parts to protect the shine from the sealer.  Take them outside and spray with acrylic sealant.  Let dry.  Take back outside for another coat of sealer and let dry.  

To dry, I would open the clips and hang them from the paint brush or other dowel between two things of equal height, like cans from your pantry.  

It might be silly, but a little frill can be pretty fun and make a load of difference.  Enjoy!

Simple Bag Clips

Source: blogs.babble.com via Grace on Pinterest

This is the simplest thing in the world to do.  Make bag clips out of store hangers.  I basically saw this on Pinterest and decided to do it, although, I added a step.

When snapping off the end, try not to do it right next to the clip, so that it doesn't crack and so that you get the whole clip off.  

Then, I trimmed the edge with shears, or tin snips if you have them, so that it's a fairly straight edge.  

Tardis Travel Tissue Case

This project is just a variation on this post about making a travel tissue case.  For all you Doctor Who fans, this is for you.  It's a Tardis themed travel tissue case that's bigger on the inside!*  The instructions I used came from this interesting blog, but as stated in my previous post on the subject, you can easily find others online by doing a simple search.  

I obviously made a few changes.  For starters, I used blue felt instead of cotton fabric and interweaving.  I small sheet of felt costs between twenty-five cents and a dollar at craft stores.  I used simple linen for the interior and "lantern" tag (instead of buying white ribbon).  Next time, I think I'll adjust the size so that the case isn't as wide.  It's a bit roomier than you really need, plus you won't have to see the extra space on either side of the Police Box. 

For the Tardis, I found an image online, re-sized it to meet my needs, and printed it on fabric transfer paper.  If you chose to do this project, print the image on regular paper first to make sure the sizing is correct.  Many Photoshop-type programs only re-size images based on pixels, not by inches or centimeters.  It took me four or fives times to get it right. 

Because I'm not an expert seamstress, my case opening wasn't as straight as I'd like, despite my best efforts.  So, my Tardis door and the case opening didn't line up perfectly. 

I lined up the Tardis on my case and cut it in half accordingly.  Then, just followed the directions on the transfer paper package. 

Now, you're set!  Just fill with travel tissues and smile when you tell people it's bigger on the inside.*

*Not actually bigger on the inside.  It's a reference joke.

Links:
http://verypurpleperson.com/2010/02/tissue-case-tutorial.html
http://thisthatandawesome.blogspot.com/2012/03/travel-tissue-case.html
 

Elastic Nook (or book) Strap

For those of you who have purchased a Nook in the last few years, you have probably seen those elastic straps you can buy to keep your cover closed.  They come in several colors, are pretty handy, but are pretty expensive for a simple piece of elastic.  
 


A couple of yards of colored elastic only costs a couple of dollars. I got 1inch wide because they didn't have a colored variety in a smaller size.  I recommend going to a fabric store, like Joanne's, rather than a craft store, as they'll have a better selection. 

Homemade Moisturizing Soap

There are countless variations and recipes for making your own soap.  There are also more than plenty tutorials online that will take you through the process.  I see no reason to spend the time adding one more to the masses.  Do a Google search for "soap making tutorial" and you'll see what I mean.  I will however show a batch I made recently and give a few points to consider before diving in yourself. 

I have very dry skin and live in a cold, dry area; so, I decided to make a batch that was as moisturizing as possible.  I took a recipe that apparently got good reviews (called Sherry's Fantastic Soap) and adjusted it to include even more moisturizing ingredients like olive oil, cocoa and shea butters, castor oil, and jojoba oil.  (I call it my Fantastic Variation) I also reduced the size of the batch, also.  This is actually considered a fairly small batch at only 2.25 pounds, or 36 ounces, whichever you prefer. 

Travel Tissue Case

I've done a couple of crafts in the past few weeks and like an idiot forgot about taking pics until I was finished.  That's okay, because it's pretty easy to get tutorials and all the info you need to do them online.  The first is basically a little pouch to carry a pack of travel tissues in.  For those of you who carry them around, you know how beat up the plastic packaging and tissues themselves can get.  

This is a pretty simple project, whether you're an avid sewer or not.  I was feeling lazy and didn't feel like setting up my sewing machine for something so quick and small, so I did it by hand.  Each line I sewed, I double backed on, eliminating gaps, to give the stitching a more even, professional look.  Even doing, essentially, twice the amount of stitching, and ironing (very important step!), sewing up a strip of fabric instead of using ribbon, and including an interfacing layer, it took me less than an hour.  With a machine, it'll probably take 5-10 minutes.  

You can simply Google something similar to "tissue case pattern" and get half a dozen patterns or tutorials on cases like this or other variations.  The one I based mine on came from here.


Links:
http://verypurpleperson.com/2010/02/tissue-case-tutorial.html

Clean/Dirty Dishwasher Magnet

This project is a slight variation of the laminate magnets a few posts ago.  It's a sign you put on your dishwasher that says whether the dishes are clean or dirty.  Now, I've gone a large portion of my life without one, but I think everyone's put dirty dishes into a clean dishwasher, especially if you have roommates.  After getting fed up, I knew a sign was in order.  You can buy them; I'm cheap and think there are more important things to spend my money on.  I tried notes and post-its, but I got tired of wasting paper and post-its.  The brilliant idea of making a magnet version came shortly after my first post about refrigerator magnets. 

The main difference is that for those magnets I wanted clean edges.  For this, I wanted to make sure that it was sealed and no water could get through, but I still didn't want a clear border like you see on laminated documents.  

For the image, I looked online for a while but couldn't find one that met my picky tastes so I ended up just making one on my computer to match my roommate's kitchen decor color of choice: Yellow.